(60): Hospital Room

Kyle's POV

(a quick recap incase you guys forgot)

I'm about to turn the corner leading to the waiting room when I bump into someone causing the can of coke that was in their hand to go rolling down. I quickly recover it and get up to hand it to the person.

My eyes widen at the sight and I swear I stop breathing.

"Kyle?"

"RJ?"

Oh god.

***

"Wha-what are you doing here?" She stutters, looking shocked to the core.

This is really RJ. It's her, right in front of me. My sister that- until a month ago- I thought was dead. She's here. I'm looking at her. She's looking at me. Good lord.

She hasn't changed much, she just has blonde hair now and obviously doesn't look as young as she did back then.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

She's still gaping, scanning my face carefully "I, uh, I came here to visit a friend. Kind of"

Chelsea-Anne.

"Oh" I murmur.

I don't know what to say. I'm so happy to see her but I'm also so very angry. Does she know what she put me through the last three years? Why didn't she just contact me and tell me she was okay? Why? I spent everyday of my life blaming myself... and for fucking what?!

For nothing. Nothing.

"You haven't told me what you're doing here?" She says after a while of silence.

Here goes nothing.

"I'm here for Chelsea-Anne" I say.

Her eyes widen and so does her mouth as she starts to chock before recovering "Chelsea-Anne Richards? You know her?"

"Yes"

"What?! How?"

"She's my girlfriend... or at least she's about to be" I drag, still kind of in awe that I'm actually speaking to my sister. I'm still angry though.

RJ breathes a deep sigh, looking to digest and contemplate the words I've just said "Wait... so Chelsea knows you, and she knows me? Does she... uh, does she know about...?"

"About what?" I bite agitated.

I can see RJ's eyes soften at my tone "That I'm your sister? And that I, uh..."

"You what?"

I want her to say it.

"Kyle, please" She croaks, giving me a desperate look "I don't think this is the time or place to have this discussion"

"A discussion? That's what this is?" I laugh sarcastically; bitterly "I can't believe you"

She looks hurt as her eyes start to water "You hate me, don't you? You have every right to. I swear I don't blame you at all"

"Why didn't you tell me?" I half-shout angrily, throwing my hands in the air "All these years I thought you were fucking dead! I was always on your side and you didn't fucking tell me"

"I'm sorry!" She cries, lips quivering.

I can't bring myself to feel bad.

"Guess what?" I say bitterly "Your brother and father are the ones who put her in the hospital"

She gapes, the tears falling faster "What?"

"Yes. I fucking owe dad because of you. This is his way of settling the debt because I refuse to work for him which is what he wants. Your brother wants me to know what it feels like to lose someone you care about, like how he 'lost' you. I almost lost her, Riley" I shout, my voice getting smaller at the end.

Just the thought alone of losing her...

"They wanted to kill her?" She gapes in disbelief covering her opened mouth.

"Both of us" I grate.

"Oh my god" She sobs hysterically "Dad would kill his own son? See? This is why I had to leave, Kyle"

"That's not the issue" I boom "The issue is that you didn't tell me. I thought you were dead because of me. Mom and I, we had to do things we didn't want to because we 'owed' him"

"I'm sorry" She croaks shaking her head.

"I can't believe you, RJ" I say lowly, running a hand through my hair "I just can't believe you. I never knew you could be this selfish"

"Dad is crazy. I had to leave" She defends.

"If you think he was crazy then, wait till you see what your disappearance did to him. Zach too. They're like the same person"

"Zach" She breathes, eyes soft at the mention "What did he do to him?"

"He's bitter and hates me because he thinks I killed you. He's been making my life hell for the past three years"

She sniffs wiping her face "I'm so sorry"

"Yeah, well, it's too late now" I sigh.

She frowns, looking to swallow a lump and nods her head as if fully understanding my anger and distaste "You don't have to forgive me now but I hope you can one day. It would kill me if you didn't" She says softly.

"We'll see, RJ" I breathe, my mind clouded with so many thoughts.

There's so much I want to say... so much I want to ask.

"Can I, uh, get a hug? I've missed you" She pleas after a while of just staring at me, her voice small and nervous.

I've missed her too.

I sigh before moving closer to my big sister and enveloping her into a tight hug. I'm taller, even though I'm five years younger than her, so I'm having to basically crouch a bit. She mirrors the same tightness around my waist, her face against my chest.

"I'm so sorry" She muffles against me.

I stroke her hair, my hard demeanor suddenly fading away. I'm so glad she's alive and safe and happy. God knows she deserves it.

"I'm so sorry" She sobs again. I can feel my shirt getting wet with her tears but I don't really care. "You and mom didn't deserve what I put you through"

"Shush, Riley" I coax rubbing her back.

She moves away from my hold after a while as she wipes her wet face before offering me a weak smile. I missed that smile. I missed her slightly green eyes. I missed her so so much. My big sister, the person I could always rely on.

"So you and Chels, huh?"

I smile too, suddenly nervous "Yeah, uh, it sort of just happened I guess"

"I can see you like her" She muses watching me.

"I do"

Her smile widens "Good. She's a good girl so I'm happy for you. It is kind of awkward for me though"

"How?" I ask confused.

"My little brother and my little brother-in-law like the same girl. Kind of puts me in a tight spot" She jokes.

Oh that Jacob guy.

"Well I won" I joke back.

"Either way, I've always felt like she was a little sister to me and now she kind of is" She informs happily and I give her a look "I know I only met her once-ish but still, I felt a connection to her and now I know why"

Same.

"Yeah, makes sense" I murmur.

Her smile suddenly fades as she gives me a serious look "How is she, Kyle? Is she okay? Awake?"

"Yes, luckily" I inform.

"Thank goodness" She breathes relieved "Do you think I'd be allowed to go see her right now?"

I look around at the empty hall "Yeah, they're not too strict about visitors"

"Okay, let's go" She sighs.

A few minutes of us walking in a tight but comfortable silence, we bump into Chelsea-Anne's dad who looked to be coming our way.

"Jean, thank goodness" He breathes, looking relieved "I forgot about the airport thing"

It's actually Riley.

"Not a problem" She waves him off "Monty and I caught a cab. I figured you were too distracted anyways"

Her husband is here?

"Thank you" He smiles. "Are you two going to see her now?"

She nods "Yeah"

"Wait how do you two know each other?" He asks causing me cough awkwardly before clicking his tongue "Never mind, I really have to go find Lacey" He then looks to me "Young man, you'll show Jean where the room is, right?"

"Yes, sir" I reply.

He offers us one more smile before walking to the direction of the waiting room.

I start to walk too as RJ follows closely behind me. I sure do wonder how Chelsea-Anne is going to react to this.

***

Chelsea's POV.

"Jean" I smile widely, forgetting about everything else when I see her enter the door.

She smiles back coming closer to my bed and taking a seat on the chair next to it. She gives me a look... a look I can't quite decipher causing me to frown "Drop the act, sister, I know you know who I am" She jokes.

Oh god.

My mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water as words fail me. How... how does she know? Did she...? Did they...?

Before I can say anything, I look to the door to see Kyle entering and he winks at me.

What's happening?!

"Sorry, what?" I basically scream.

They both laugh looking at me "I happened to bump into my little brother in the halls of this huge hospital. The shock when I found out the he came to visit the same Chelsea that I came to visit" Jean informs smiling.

She knows.

"I can explain" I say quickly.

"Relax, Chelsea, I'm not mad" Jea-Riley assures rubbing my bruised arm.

I look at Kyle nervously. He doesn't look as shaken up as I thought he would if he happened to bump into his older sister. But Im guessing that probably passed when they bumped into each other before coming to 'confront' me. He looks... okay-ish. I can still see that he's a bit agitated because he keeps clenching his jaw but it doesn't look too concerning. Or maybe he's just good at acting.

I can't help but smile though. Today really is the day for reunions. First mom and dad, and now the Chambers children.

"Are you okay?" I ask Kyle.

He nods tightly, not really convincing "Yes. You're the one on the hospital bed so I should actually be asking you"

"I'm okay" I inform.

"So when were you planning on telling me that you knew my little brother?" Riley asks, feigning a hurt expression.

I fold my lips sheepishly "Kyle told me not to" I excuse.

She looks to him "He did, didn't he?"

"I didn't think you exactly wanted to hear from us. You made it quite clear" He mutters looking away from her and absentmindedly toying with my hand.

Well then.

I see Riley's eyes soften "I'm really sorry"

"It's in the past now" He dismisses gruffly.

I think they really need to sit down and discuss things... just the two of them and not in a hospital either. I don't think I'm supposed to be part of their conversation. It's kind of awkward and tense to witness.

I clear my throat to try and ease the slight tension "So, uh, Riley? Where's Monty? Dad said you came with him"

"He went to go pick up Jake" She says.

Jake is here? I really don't know how to feel about this. How awkward is it that I'm basically dating his brother-in-law now. Jeez.

"Oh" I drawl thoughtfully.

"Why is he here?" Kyle basically growls, clenching his jaw.

"He's a really good friend of Chelsea's, right Chels?" Riley says and I nod meekly.

He sighs irritated "Fine. Whatever"

Yeah, he is not in a good mood. I can imagine that seeing his sister after almost three years is not exactly what he had in mind so I understand where he is coming from.

"Uhm, are the others gone?" I ask Kyle after seeing that no one was about to say anything.

He nods "It's just your parents here. The others have classes to attend"

"Why didn't you go?"

"Because I can't concentrate with you here so it would be kind of useless then" He says causing me to offer him a smile.

He's cute sometimes.

"Wow" Riley mutters watching us. I'd even forgotten that she was here. I always get lost in Kyle's eyes. Cheesy, I know.

"What?" I raise a brow.

She breathes a laugh "I've never seen Kyle so... smitten over a girl. It's refreshing to watch really"

I just giggle, fighting a blush.

"That's because I've never been" Kyle says.

"So you admit you are now?" Riley challenges, smirking at her younger brother.

He just grumbles "I don't know"

"Yeah you are" Riley teases laughing.

I can't help but smile as I watch them and Kyle just rolls his eyes "Whatever, RJ"

"Okay, I'll stop" She promise amused.

Before any of us can say anything, her phone starts to ring and she excuses herself as she exits my hospital room.

I hear Kyle let out a huge breath, almost as if he's been holding it in and I frown.

"What's wrong?"

"Its just- I'm not really sure how to act around her. It's so damn weird. One minute I'm so happy and then the next I'm fucking angry at her" He groans running a rough hand through his hair "It's too much"

I frown watching his frustrated expression "You guys looked okay when you first walked in. Did you speak before?"

"Yeah. I bumped into her in the hallway"

"How did that go?" I ask concerned.

He just shrugs looking defeated "Weird. I kind of laid it all out on the table. I told her that you were in the hospital because of her father and brother"

I frown "Wasn't that a bit too harsh?"

"Maybe, but she had to know" He reasons "I'm just so exhausted"

My poor baby.

I touch his rough cheek and he leans into it offering me small smile. His stubble is very much visible now. It's all around his chin and cheek, also a bit above his upper lip. He looks... gruffy and so damn sexy. I like him stubbled and shaven. He just always looks so gorgeous.

"When I get out of this hospital, we're definitely having a sleep date" I assure.

He laughs "We haven't even had a real one"

"We can have one after that" I smile at the thought "I'm also exhausted and I very much don't like sleeping on this bed. It's not as comfortable as you"

He grins "Miss you too"

"So, uh, what do you want to do about your dad and Zorro?" I ask softly.

"Like how?"

"Should we lay charges?" I basically whisper because I don't know how he feels about everything.

He sighs "I don't know. Do you want to?"

"It's up to you. They're your family"

"Chelsea-Anne, I'm not the one on a hospital bed because of them" He tells me.

"I don't want you to lose your family because of me, Kyle" I utter slowly "Maybe now that Riley is back, everything will be normal again"

I really doubt it.

"This is so fucking frustrating" He breathes, running a hand through his hair.

"I know, I'm sorry" I sigh frowning.

"I'm sorry baby. You don't deserve this" He says kissing my hand causing my heart to melt and my eyes to water. He's so perfect, ugh!

"Kylie..." I sniff, my voice cracking.

He reaches a hand to catch my tears before they fall "We're too young for this, huh?"

I nod laughing "Ya think?"

"Don't worry, it will all blow over. I can assure you that"

"Good then you can finally kiss me" I grin.

He laughs at me "Yes, then I can finally kiss you... amongst other things"

"Oh, like what?" I raise an amused brow.

He winks at me causing my numb legs to feel even more numb "You'll see"

"Mmm" I hum, grinning and blushing like an idiot. Why do I get a feeling that 'among other things' is something I should be scared of but excited for at the same time?

I will have to see.

We're just grinning at each other and he's kissing my hand when the door is pushed open catching my attention.

"Older Chelsea" Monty greets when he looks at me, moving closer.

I smile brightly "Monty, hi"

Behind him is Jake and Riley. I sigh inwardly at the sight.

"I would ask if you're good but given that you're on a hospital bed..." He jokes lightly causing me to laugh.

"Babe, Jake" Riley announces looking between them and Kyle "This is my little brother, Kyle"

"You have a little brother?" Jake basically gapes looking between Kyle and his sister-in-law. This is kind of awkward.

Monty seems to know because he offers a hand to Kyle calmly and he hesitantly takes it "Nice to meet you, man" Monty says shaking it.

"Likewise" Kyle says curtly letting it go.

"What the hell is happening here?" Jake demands as he watches us all interact like everything in the world is okay.

"I have a brother. Surprise" Riley says.

He hasn't even said hi to me.

"What? Since when?"

"Since I was born" Kyle retorts harshly, not even looking at him. Jeez.

I widen my eyes at him warningly to be nice and he just gives me a dry look causing me to retract my hand from his and he huffs.

Serves him right.

"Hi Jacob" I decide to greet since clearly he wasn't planning on doing it.

"Hi ugly girl" He greets back causing me to smile. I missed him being mean to me.

"Thanks for coming" I say genuinely.

I really didn't think he would considering how things went the last time we were together.

He smiles at me "Of course. I had to make sure my best friend was okay. You know we're always here for you"

He's so sweet.

Kyle is grim-faced the whole time but I just ignore him. He's being a child.

"I'm kind of bummed you guys left Theo behind though" I feign hurt.

Monty laughs "No way we were bringing him. He would be walking all over the place, eating and ruining everything"

"That does sound like him" I laugh.

"So... is this the wrong time to ask how you know Jean's brother?" Monty asks awkwardly, tapping his foot on the floor.

Kind of is.

"We're together" Kyle says before I can reply.

I don't mean to but I end up looking at Jake and he has a huge frown on his face as his shoulders slouch in what I think is hurt. Oh no.

"Oh wow" Monty breathes surprised.

This is so AWKWARD!

"Either way, she's kind of part of the family" Riley assures, trying to lighten up the mood but it doesn't really help.

"I'll be back" Jake announces stiffly before exiting.

Oh no.

"He'll be fine" His brother speaks for him awkwardly when he's gone "Just glad you're okay, older Chelsea"

I try hard to smile "Thanks"

I am okay physically but I feel horrible. This is not how I wanted to tell Jake that I had moved on. He didn't deserve to find out like this and it feels bad. I honestly don't know how I can make it better.

Kyle frowns my way but doesn't say much. If anything he actually looks kind of annoyed and angry... with me. Why? I didn't even do anything? Is it because I feel bad that he just blurted the truth out like that without sparing a second thought about Jake's feelings? Not my fault I'm more sympathetic than him.

"I'm gonna go too" He says finally.

I'm too annoyed and confused to speak at this point. I don't understand what the hell is happening. It's all too much for me.

He gets up slowly and heads for the door before exiting.

I sigh to myself before looking at the married couple and trying my best to act fine "So I forgot to ask about your flight. How was it?"

Monty is about to answer but not before Riley hums to herself in thought.

"I think I need to go with Kyle. Will you guys be okay?"

I nod "Yeah"

Monty kisses her temple "Of course. Do what you have to, love"

"Okay. I'll call Jake back in first" She says.

And with that she rushes out of the room, probably hoping to catch Kyle before he is completely gone. I guess it's time for that serious conversation that they've both been dreading and the fact that Kyle is in the mood he is in right now is probably not going to help.

Monty and I share a knowing look.

***